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Overview

Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee took a break from making Western period dramas to fashion this wild and woolly martial arts spectacular featuring special effects and action sequences courtesy of the choreographer of The Matrix (1999), Yuen Woo Ping. In the early 19th century, martial arts master Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) is about to retire and enter a life of meditation, though he quietly longs to avenge the death of his master, who was killed by Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-pei). He gives his sword, a fabled 400-year-old weapon known as Green Destiny, to his friend, fellow martial arts wizard and secret love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), so that she may deliver it to Sir Te (Sihung Lung). Upon arrival in Peking, Yu happens upon Jen (Zhang Ziyi), a vivacious, willful politician's daughter. That night, a mysterious masked thief swipes Green Destiny, with Yu in hot pursuit -- resulting in the first of several martial arts action set pieces during the film. Li arrives in Beijing and eventually discovers that Jen is not only the masked thief but is also in cahoots with the evil Jade. In spite of this, Li sees great talent in Jen as a fighter and offers to school her in the finer points of martial arts and selflessness, an offer that Jen promptly rebukes. This film was first screened to much acclaim at the 2000 Cannes, Toronto, and New York film festivals and became a favorite when Academy Awards nominations were announced in 2001: Tiger snagged ten nods and later secured four wins for Best Cinematography, Score, Art Direction, and Foreign Language Film.

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Editorial Reviews

A hypnotically fascinating hybrid produced by crossing martial-arts adventure with fairy-tale romance, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon quickly became the most successful foreign film ever released in the U.S. Chow Yun-Fat, an international superstar whose English-language films include Anna and the King, portrays a Chinese warrior who retires from a life of violence and relinquishes custody of his fabled sword, the magnificent Green Destiny. Hong Kong action star and erstwhile Bond girl Michelle Yeoh plays the longtime friend and admirer whose father is entrusted with the sword. A thrill-seeking young aristocrat (Zhang Ziyi), working with an evil mentor whom Chow once swore to kill, steals the sword -- and the chase is on. The characters square off in a series of exhilarating, occasionally dreamlike confrontations -- including a particularly memorable scene that unfolds amid windblown treetops -- staged with split-second precision and choreographic grace. As directed by Ang Lee (The Ice Storm), Crouching Tiger assumes multiple aspects; it offers two contrasting love stories that are at various points wistful, soaring, melancholy, and profoundly spiritual. It is, in every way, an impeccably executed film that refuses to be confined by formula and therefore delights on many levels.

Barnes & Noble - Ed Hulse

Billed as Sense and Sensibility with kung fu, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is one of the wildest and most entertaining films to come down the pike in a long, long time. Ang Lee manages to spin stunning martial arts set pieces around a compelling and believable coming-of-age story. From Seven Samurai to the The Terminator, the key to a really good action movie is not the size of the gun or the variety of objects exploded, but the depth of characters; in Crouching Tiger, the players are given the same fine shading that Lee lent to The Ice Storm and other intimate character pieces. International superstars Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh give perhaps the best performances of their careers as a couple bonded by the perils of war and an intense, yet unfulfilled, love. Despite the magnitude of their star power, Chow and Yeoh are all but upstaged by Zhang Ziyi as the impetuous Jen Yu. Gorgeous, graceful, and possessing a near-lethal high kick, she dominates the film. In one show-stopping sequence, this lithe young lass cleans the floor with a room full of thick-necked guys toting blunt weapons. In another she almost takes out a band of Mongol marauders in a wild Gobi Desert melee. There she meets and eventually falls in love with bandit king Lo (Chang Chen). Lee deftly structures much of the film like a Shakespearean romantic comedy -- the fiery passion of Jen and Lo are contrasted with the quieter, deeper love of Li and Shu Lien. The fervid romance of the young couple makes the sense of loss and repression in the older duo all the more poignant. The action is startlingly fresh: Drawn from conventions in popular Chinese Wuxia kung fu literature, the heroes are such masters of martial arts that they literally, and quite believably, fly. The first confrontation between Yeoh and Zhang -- a dizzying chase over the tiled roofs of a rich man's estate, in which the two adversaries literally bounce off the walls and sail over buildings -- simply has to be seen to be believed. Romantic, haunting, and sublimely entertaining, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon should not be missed.

All Movie Guide - Jonathan Crow

Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is the most exhilarating martial arts movie I have seen.... But like all ambitious movies, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" transcends its origins and becomes one of a kind. It's glorious, unashamed escapism and surprisingly touching at the same time.

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a magical dream of a martial arts epic. It surpasses any you've ever seen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

When I saw this movie I was a little confused because the girl was going anywhere then she tries to avoid somebody and fighting them for just one sword like what.

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More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

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More than 1 year ago

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is a wonderful movie. I have not seen the DVD yet but in the theater the thrill of this move was unbelievable. Defiantly in my top three movies.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

One of the very best movies I have ever seen. Zhang Ziyi has a screen presence that is hypnotic. Michelle Yeoh is simply the best. The Cinematography is beautiful, the Musical score is incredible, and the Movie is pure magic. I can not think of a better movie to own on DVD.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

The title said it all. I was one of the lucky few who got to see this movie on the Imax screen. Action and adventure, romance and something for everyone. This is a must have movie for your DVD collection along with the Matrix.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

From the first time I saw this movie, I knew it was different from any martial arts film ever made. I am a martial artist myself, and am often very critical of the low quality and lack of respect paid to the martial arts in lesser movies. On the other hand, this film not only displays excellent martial arts scenes, but also tells stories of love and passion. Along with all of this, the movie is visually stunning in every way. From the special effects to the beautiful cinematography, this movie is definitely among the best eye candy I have ever seen. Even while having to read subtitles through the entire move, I can't think of one thing negative to say about this spectacular epic.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

this is a great movie butit is xxxxx for all i care about heyy avery one should watchit

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Great film, making the typical Hollywood action scenes seem pityful, as this made martail arts seem graceful and as beautiful as nature itself. Decent plot, but great acting, the film was moving for reasons very off the typical film charts. What the hell am I talking about? Anyway, it was a great movie, and I really suggest seeing it.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I've never seen the preview to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. I've only heard about how amazing the film was. When I did finally see it, I was absolutely blown away. The special effects in the film was incredible. There was never a moment where I stopped to look at what time it was. There was always something going on. The fight scenes were sensational.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The choreography is amazing and the story that goes with it is one of the best of all time. The charecters are played wonderfully in every seen and I cannot find a single flaw in the entire film. An instant classic that deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest films of all time. Highly recommended to everyone, even if you don't like having sub titles you will love this film.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

On one level this is a simple story about love, courage, honor and hope. On a whole other level, the film is evolutionary: it takes us to a new level. It takes as its subject the struggle of four central characters, but what is crucial about this film is the subtheme of the limits and the will of nature, and the dance of human beings with and against this. These characters fly, they move with things, they vie with things. But more important, below the surface, they are joining with things --- allowing things to flow through them, be touched by things. Anyone who has wondered about the space and the depth of Eastern philosophy will see with their own eyes the nature of the Tao in the scene where they vie in the trees. This scene is timeless. And anyone who believes that fighting is about attack will have to think again as Jen and Sui Lein spar off. A beautiful, beautiful film of fantasy and reality intermingled. Who knows, indeed, what these hands can do? Who knows what we might actually be, or could be? A beautiful odyssey set across beautiful landscapes, with humour and depth, and wonderful acting.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Few words can describe this masterpiece. To combine the most advanced and accurate fighting scenes ever seen on film before with excellent acting performance from none the least - Chow Yun-Fat, is not an easy task to perform. If you then add to that a perfect touch of passion together with incredible nature scenes you have an almost impossible task to accomplish. But director Ang Lee did exactly that - and he did it with perfection!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

i liked the concept of the movie but the graphics just didn't follow up with the now.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I can't believe Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon got noticed by anyone at all. The movie is not worth all the attention. The only pleasant aspect of the film is the martial arts; although I have seen better. The plot is very weak and the characters are under-developed. Zhao Zhi Yi is a terrible actress and I can't understand why she is cast for the role. I am embarrassed by the movie. Its understandable that only non-Asians like it. Don't buy it, its not worth the money.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I saw an advance DVD - it is an excellent print. This will be a highly-rated movie- because both the content and the print are excellent.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

i saw this movie at noon, the first day it came out. it was amazing. there is something in this movie for everyone. incredible action, romance, flash-backs and betrayal. it is so refreshing to see a movie devoid of green screens and computer animation, lee's movie unduly lost to gladiator twice. gladiator is a great movie but was better when it was called patriot and amazing when it was called braveheart. june 5th is too far away...

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I sat in the theater thinking that this movie was a dud, but as time passed by, I noticed how I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. I'll say one thing: the movie was eye-candy. Fat-free!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

this is easy the best film i have ever seen.chow yun fat,miccelle yeoh,and zhang ziyi were great(they should of got nominated for academy awards.i love every aspect and element of this film.the acting is great,the directing is fantastic.you,d be stupid not to buy this film

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Congratulations to Ang Lee and team for a fantastic production! It was great to see the movie honored at the Oscars, and I look forward to more Foreign Language Film awards, and likely Best Picture awards, to come in the future for Chinese language movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

It's hard to put into words how beautifully filmed this movie is. It's grace and power blend perfectly, like a dance. The original soundtrack (in Chinese with English subtitles) is so much better than a dubbed one. I would definitely recommend this movie 100% !!!!!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

A decent movie, but overdone on the martial arts and the multiple ''flubber'' feet sequences. You keep expecting Fred MacMurray to show up. The actors were first rate and the photography was impressive, but this certainly did not live up to the hype it has received.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Ok, so there may have been some flaws in subtitling. They may have gone too far with the flying stunts. They may have done some other things that did not impress every single critic in the world. But there will always be naysayers, and I say about this film, let them say ''nay''--just ignore them. Then watch the film (preferably in theaters) and be transported, amazed, glued to the screen from start to finish. Great costuming, just the right amount of silliness, humor, romance, and plenty of enjoyable violence make this a film no one should miss. Kudos to Ang Lee, especially for having a range of talent in film-making that allowed him to direct The Ice Storm AND a film like this.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Totally, the film is fantastic, I like it a lot !! A little thing that disturbs me is that the ''flying scene'' sometimes need to be more natural/realistic (the speed when the actor hit the ground and the speed when he/she start to fly - don't have increasing speed/decreasing speed according to gravity law). I've ever seen a lot of martial arts film before. It's true they are more natural in ''flying scene'', but they didn't show the detail. Crouching tiger shows the detail, with the consequency, some unrealistic part was uncovered. I think, it's the best thing that can be achieved without using computer manipulation. I love natural movies !! Whatever it is, it's a perfect action movie !!

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